If there is one genre that has come to define Apple TV, it’s sci-fi. The streaming service has fully leaned into sci-fi as one of its most prominent genres. The result has been some of the best sci-fi shows on television.
It’s truly impressive how Apple has become a quiet king of modern sci-fi. One of my favorite shows on television—and my top pick for this list—is an Apple TV sci-fi thriller from executive producer Ben Stiller. Other shows on this six-show list include an underrated gem about life underground and Vince Gilligan’s latest creation.
6
Murderbot
Even robots have a sense of humor
I typically don’t associate sci-fi with humor on television. You can have humor in sci-fi, but sci-fi comedies are rare, mainly because it’s much easier to build thrillers and action. So when I saw Murderbot was being billed as a sci-fi comedy, I was immediately intrigued, especially because it came from the Weitz brothers, the duo behind American Pie. And don’t be scared off by the title. It’s about a sarcastic robot, not a serial killer.
Based on Martha Wells’ book series, Murderbot stars Alexander Skarsgård as the titular robot who hacks his system and gains free will. However, he must hide his newfound autonomy from the humans he was programmed to protect. Succession fans know that Skarsgård has terrific comedic chops, which translate to Murderbot, a weird but highly entertaining show.
Murderbot
- Release Date
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May 15, 2025
- Network
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Apple TV+
- Showrunner
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Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
5
Foundation
Isaac Asimov’s creation comes to life
Foundation is Apple’s best example of ambitious sci-fi. Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series revolves around psychohistory, the practice of using mathematics to predict future trends. Hari Seldon (Jared Harris), the inventor of psychohistory, is one of the protagonists. His science predicts the fall of the Galactic Empire, but Seldon believes disaster can be mitigated through the creation of the Foundation, an institution that could preserve humanity’s knowledge.
There are many pieces on the show’s chessboard, and it takes a few episodes to understand the major players. It’s a vast show with impressive world-building that diehard sci-fi fans will appreciate.
Foundation
- Release Date
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September 23, 2021
- Network
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Apple TV+
- Showrunner
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David S. Goyer
4
For All Mankind
An interesting look at an alternate history of the world
I think it’s such an ingenious idea to rewrite history for a TV show. Some fans might not like alternate history, but at the end of the day, I’d rather have an entertaining fictional story over a boring nonfiction show. And For All Mankind is not boring. In fact, it’s one of Apple’s most innovative shows because it reimagines the Space Race.
In this alternate world, the Space Race continues after the Soviet Union successfully puts a man on the moon in 1969. Determined to match the Soviet Union, the U.S. ramps up its training for astronauts and opens its pool of candidates to more women and minorities. The show hit its stride when it introduced the colonization of Mars in the middle seasons. Five seasons later, For All Mankind remains as visually dazzling as ever. If you love For All Mankind, watch the spin-off, Star City, which tells the story of the Space Race from the Soviet perspective.
For All Mankind
- Release Date
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2019 – 2027-00-00
- Network
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Apple TV
- Showrunner
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Ronald D. Moore
3
Pluribus
The fate of the human race is in the hands of one woman
As a television writer, who has a better resume than Vince Gilligan? First, he worked under Chris Carter on The X-Files. Then, he created one of the greatest shows of all time in Breaking Bad and co-created its critically acclaimed spin-off, Better Call Saul. After a brief hiatus, Gilligan returned in 2025 with his new sci-fi creation Pluribus.
Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn) finds herself in a precarious situation. She is one of 13 people in the world immune to an event known as the “Joining,” where the majority of humanity transforms into obedient beings connected to a hive mind. Carol refuses to join the “Others” and fights to return things to normal. Gilligan is a master of the slow burn, and he certainly takes his time revealing information about the Others. The pace won’t be for everyone, but if you’re patient, you’ll be rewarded with a truly unique premise, superb attention to detail, and an Emmy-worthy performance from Seehorn.
Pluribus
- Release Date
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November 6, 2025
- Network
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Apple TV
- Directors
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Adam Bernstein, Zetna Fuentes, Melissa Bernstein
2
Silo
Why did humanity choose to live underground?
Of all the things I’m currently watching, the show that delivers the best episodes on a consistent basis is Silo. Based on Hugh Howey’s novels, Silo is a dystopian drama where humanity lives underground in a self-sustaining silo, Silo 18, that extends 144 floors. Who built the silo? Why can’t people go outside? That’s Silo’s central mystery.
One of Silo’s inquisitive residents is Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson), an engineer who is handpicked by the previous sheriff to take over his position. Over the next 20-plus episodes, more layers of information are revealed, as we learn that life might exist outside Silo 18. In season 3, a storyline set in the past teases the “how” and “why” of the silo’s creation. Silo’s greatest innovation is that it snuck a 1970s-inspired political thriller inside a dystopian series.
Silo
- Release Date
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May 5, 2023
- Network
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Apple TV
- Showrunner
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Graham Yost
1
Severance
Introducing innies and outies
Ted Lasso is arguably Apple TV’s most popular show, but Severance is its best. In February 2022, Severance introduced the world to Lumon Industries and the difference between innies and outies. Employees on the severed floor, including Mark S. (Adam Scott), underwent the severance procedure, which divides outside memories from those at work. Essentially, these employees are two distinct people: outies and innies.
The audience can immediately tell Lumon has ulterior motives, and through two seasons, the employees start to fight back. When Severance becomes a tense psychological thriller with race-against-the-clock sequences, it’s a special show. Season 1’s finale is one of the 10 best episodes of television this decade.
The biggest knock against Severance is the gap between seasons. Roughly three years between season 1 and season 2 is excruciating. Thankfully, season 3 is now in production, which could put it on track to arrive in 2027, more than two years after season 2.
Severance
- Release Date
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February 17, 2022
- Network
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Apple TV
- Showrunner
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Dan Erickson, Mark Friedman
What other shows should I watch this week?
Many of these sci-fi shows are adrenaline-fueled adventures. Sticking with that theme, head to Netflix to stream I Will Find You and The Gentlemen, two insane series that everyone is talking about. If you want to stay on Apple TV, Ted Lasso has only aired a few episodes of its new fourth season, so catch up now.
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